System, method, and apparatus for locating and merging data fields of lost records with found records

ABSTRACT

In one embodiment, a system, method, and apparatus to generate a merged record comprises: a client server configured to generate a first report having at least one internal term and at least one descriptive term and a recovery server configured to: receive the first report, associate the at least one internal term with at least one of a plurality of public terms, associate the at least one descriptive term with a generic code or a product code, and associate the at least one descriptive term with at least one main code, the associated main code based upon the associated generic code or product code.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.14/158,658, filed Jan. 17, 2014 and entitled “SYSTEM, METHOD, ANDAPPARATUS FOR LOCATING AND MERGING DOCUMENTS,” which is herebyincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates generally to merging data fields. Moreparticularly, the present disclosure relates to locating and mergingdata fields in lost and found records.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Everyone has forgotten a personal item at least once. Once lost, theitems may or may not ever be returned to the rightful owner. Forexample, when on vacation, a user may forget an item(s) in a hotel room.In another example, a customer may forget an item in a rental car,sporting event, or any other establishment or event. The most commonitem left in hotel rooms is chargers, such as a cell phone charger.However, any other valuable items may also be lost or left behind suchas clothing, cell phones, jewelry, and the like.

When reporting the lost item, the user or customer or the establishmentmay submit a lost report. Then when the item is found, the establishmentand/or the finder may submit a found report. However, to determinewhether the lost report matches the found report requires a person tomanually compare the information between the two records to determine ifthe found item matches the lost item.

OVERVIEW

The invention is directed to a system, method, and apparatus forlocating and merging data fields based on matching higharchical keywordsand/or codes in lost and found records, reports, or documents. Each lostand/or found record or report may have a plurality of data fields suchas customer identification, description information, and any otherdesired data. Initially, keywords stored in the data fields are matchedwith generic terms and if no match is found, another match is conductedwith product terms. If there is a match found with generic terms, ageneric code associated with the generic term is assigned to the recordor document. If there is a match found with a product term, a productcode associated with the product term is assigned to the record ordocument. The record or report is then assigned a main code based uponthe generic code and/or product code.

To locate and determine potential data fields to merge to produce asingle merged record or document, the customer identification and maincode of one record is matched with other customer identification andmain codes other records stored in a report server. In one embodiment,additional data fields may be compared such as the generic code and/orproduct codes. When two or more records or documents are selected to bemerged, a comparison is made to determine whether there are any termsthat are different in each of the data fields. If there are terms in thedata fields that are different, a single record with both terms may begenerated. The different terms may be set apart or presented in adifferent format such as in italics, bolded in a different color, onseparate lines, or in any other format.

In one embodiment, a system to generate a merged record comprises aclient server configured to generate a first report having at least oneinternal term and at least one descriptive term and a recovery serverconfigured to: receive the first report; associate the at least oneinternal term with at least one of a plurality of public terms;associate the at least one descriptive term with a generic code or aproduct code; and associate the at least one descriptive term with atleast one main code, the associated main code based upon the associatedgeneric code or product code.

In another embodiment, a method for generating a merged record, includesreceiving, at a server, a first report, the first report including firstreport information, the first report information including at least onedescriptive term and at least one internal term; associating the atleast one internal term with at least one of a plurality of publicterms; associating the at least one descriptive term with a generic codeor a product code; and associating the at least one descriptive termwith at least one main code, the associated main code based upon theassociated generic code or product code.

In yet another embodiment, a method for generating a merged lost report,comprises receiving, at a server, a lost report, the lost reportincluding lost report information, the lost report information includingat least one descriptive term and an internal term; associating the atleast one internal term with at least one of a plurality of publicterms; associating the at least one descriptive term with a generic codeor a product code; associating the at least one descriptive term with atleast one main code, the associated main code based upon the associatedgeneric code or product code; locating a found report having foundreport information, the found report information including at least apublic term and at least one main code; and determining whether thefound report public term and main code matches the first report publicterm and main code.

In one embodiment, a program storage device readable by a machinetangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machineto perform a method for generating a merged record, the method comprisesreceiving, at a server, a first report, the first report including firstreport information, the first report information including at least onedescriptive term and at least one internal term; associating the atleast one internal term with at least one of a plurality of publicterms; associating the at least one descriptive term with a generic codeor a product code; and associating the at least one descriptive termwith at least one main code, the associated main code based upon theassociated generic code or product code.

The present invention provides other hardware configured to perform themethods of the invention, as well as software stored in amachine-readable medium (e.g., a tangible storage medium) to controldevices to perform these methods. These and other features will bepresented in more detail in the following detailed description of theinvention and the associated figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate one or more example embodimentsand, together with the description of example embodiments, serve toexplain the principles and implementations.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary system for merging records.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary term database.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate the matching and merging of data fieldsaccording to one embodiment.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate an exemplary method for locating and mergingrecords.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary method for creating customized matchterms.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are exemplary screen shots illustrating customization ofmatch terms.

FIG. 7 illustrates a block diagram of a computing device according toone embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments are described herein in the context of a system, method, andapparatus for locating and merging data fields of lost records withfound records. The following detailed description is illustrative onlyand is not intended to be in any way limiting. Other embodiments willreadily suggest themselves to such skilled persons having the benefit ofthis disclosure. Reference will now be made in detail to implementationsas illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The same referenceindicators will be used throughout the drawings and the followingdetailed description to refer to the same or like parts.

In the interest of clarity, not all of the routine features of theimplementations described herein are shown and described. It will, ofcourse, be appreciated that in the development of any such actualimplementation, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be madein order to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as compliancewith application- and business-related constraints, and that thesespecific goals will vary from one implementation to another and from onedeveloper to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such adevelopment effort might be complex and time-consuming, but wouldnevertheless be a routine undertaking of engineering for those ofordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

In accordance with the present invention, the components, process steps,and/or data structures may be implemented using various types ofoperating systems, computing platforms, computer programs, and/orgeneral purpose machines. In addition, those of ordinary skill in theart will recognize that devices of a less general purpose nature, suchas hardwired devices, field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs),application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or the like, may alsobe used without departing from the scope and spirit of the inventiveconcepts disclosed herein.

The disclosed invention is directed to a system, method, and apparatusfor locating and merging data fields based on matching higharchicalkeywords and/or codes in lost and found records or documents. Each lostand/or found record or report may have a plurality of data fields suchas customer identification, description information, and any otherdesired data. Initially, keywords stored in the data fields are matchedwith generic terms and if no match is found, another match is conductedwith product terms. If there is a match found with generic terms, ageneric code associated with the generic term is assigned to the recordor document. If there is a match found with a product term, a productcode associated with the product term is assigned to the record, report,or document. The record or report is then assigned a main code basedupon the generic code and/or product code.

To locate and determine potential data fields to merge to produce asingle merged record or document, the customer identification and maincode of one record is matched with all other CID and MC's other recordsdocuments stored in a report server. In one embodiment, additional datafields may be compared such as the generic code and/or product codes.When two or more records or documents are selected to be merged, acomparison is made to determine whether there are any terms that aredifferent in each of the data fields. If there are terms in the datafields that are different, a single record with both terms may begenerated. The different terms may be set apart or presented in adifferent format such as in italics, bolded in a different color onseparate lines, or in any other format.

Several embodiments of the invention are discussed below with referenceto FIGS. 1-6. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciatethat the detailed description given herein with respect to these figuresis for explanatory purposes as the invention can extend beyond theselimited embodiments.

Referring now to FIG. 1, an exemplary system for locating and mergingrecords or reports. The system 100 can have a plurality of clientcomputing devices 102 a, 102 n (where n is an integer) configured tocommunicate with a recovery server 108 via network 112 to transmit alost item report with the hope of recovering their lost items. Clientcomputing devices 102 a-n and recovery server 108 may be connected tonetwork 112 via any known wired or wireless manner. Client computingdevices 102 a-n may be any computing device such as a desktop computer,laptop, netbook, as well as any mobile computing device such as mobile(e.g., cellular) phones, media players, personal digital assistants(PDAs), and the like.

The system 100 may have an establishment server 104 configured tocommunicate with the recovery server 108 via network 112 to transmitlost and/or found item reports and conduct any other transactions suchas receive shipping documents, authentication of the customer, and thelike. The establishment server 104 may be associated with any type ofbusiness such as a hotel, supermarket, airport, airline company, coffeeshop, car rental company, school (e.g. primary school, university,college, and the like), cruise ship, movie theaters, parks andcampgrounds, shopping centers, business centers, private residences, orany other location where a lost item may be lost and/or found.Furthermore, the establishment server may also be an event, such as afootball game, convention, seminar, and the like.

Recovery server 108 may have a report server 106. The report server 106may have a lost item database 110 and a found item database 112. Thelost item database 110 may be configured to store lost item reports 114submitted by the client device 102 a-n or the establishment server 104.The found item database 112 may be configured to store found itemreports 116 transmitted from the client device 102 a-n or theestablishment server 104. The lost item report 114 may have a pluralityof data fields storing information such as customer identification,description information, associated codes, and any other desired data.For example, the customer identification fields may include customername, user name, password, electronic mail address, address, phonenumber, and any other desired customer information. In another example,the description information may include lost item description such asthe location of where the item was found, detailed description of theitem, such as color, shape, manufacturer, client contact information,current storage location of the lost item and other descriptiveinformation. The location of where the item was found may include abusiness name, room number, seat number, and/or additional location dataof where the item was located. The lost item description may alsoinclude an image of the lost item to enhance or increase the chances foridentification of the lost item. In yet another example, the code datafield may include any codes that are associated with the lost itemreport 114. As further discussed in detail below, the associated codesmay be used to locate potential documents to merge.

The recovery server 108 may have a match server 122. The match server122 may be configured to store keyword terms. The match server 122 mayhave a term database 120 configured to store various terms such as, forexample, main terms 112, product terms 112 and generic terms 128. Thoseof ordinary skill in the art will now realize that the terms may beorganized in any desired data structure or organization scheme that isunderstandable or necessary for the organization. One example embodimentwill now be described. The main terms 128 may be main or high-levelkeyword terms to describe various products. The main terms may be adescription used to describe a plurality of products. For example, andas illustrated in Table 1, main terms may include “clothing”,“electronics”, “sporting goods”, and the like. Each main term 128 may beassigned a code or unique identifier. For example, “clothing” may beassigned code 10. Although illustrated in numerical format, the code maybe any unique code or identifier consisting of text, symbols, ornumbers.

TABLE 1 MAIN TERMS CODE CLOTHING 10 ELECTRONICS 30 CHILDREN TOYS 50FURNITURE 70 SPORTING GOODS 20 BOOKS 40 ADULT TOYS 60 HEALTH BEAUTY 80

Each main term 124 may be associated with a plurality of product terms126 as illustrated in Table 2. The product terms 126 may further definewhat the main terms 124 are. For example, under main term “clothing”,the product terms 126 may include pants, shirts, dress, shoes, and thelike. In another example, main term “health beauty” may include theproduct terms perfume, make-up, razor, soap, lipstick, and the like.Each product term 126 may be assigned a code or unique identifier. Forexample, “pants” may be assigned code 10-1, “shirt” may be assigned code10-2, and the like. Although illustrated in numerical format, the codemay be any unique code or identifier consisting of text, symbols, ornumbers.

TABLE 2 MAIN TERM: MAIN CODE PRODUCT TERM PRODUCT CODE CLOTHING: 10PANTS 10-1 SHIRT 10-2 DRESS 10-3 SHOES 10-4 SOCKS 10-5 JACKET 10-6 HAT10-7 GLOVES 10-8 HEALTH PERFUME 80-1 BEAUTY: 80 MAKE-UP 80-2 RAZOR 80-3SOAP 80-4 LIPSTICK 80-5 NAIL POLISH 80-6

Each product term 126 may be associated with a plurality of genericterms 128 as illustrated in Table 3. The generic terms 128 may furtherdefine what the product terms 126 are. For example, under product term“SHOES”, the generic terms 128 may include sneakers, dress, high hell,crocks, and the like. In another example, product term “health beauty”may include the generic terms concealer, foundation, mineral, powder,and the like. As such, there may be substantially more generic termsthan product terms, and substantially more product terms than mainterms.

Each generic term 128 may be assigned a code or unique identifier. Forexample, “sneakers” may be assigned code 10-4-1, “dress” may be assignedcode 10-4-2, and the like. Although illustrated in numerical format, thecode may be any unique code or identifier consisting of text, symbols,or numbers.

TABLE 3 MAIN TERM: PRODUCT TERM: GENERIC TERM: MAIN CODE PRODUCT CODEGENERIC CODE CLOTHING: 10 SHOES: 10-4 SNEAKER: 10-4-1 DRESS: 10-4-2SANDEL: 10-4-3 CROCS: 10-4-4 BOOT: 10-4-5 SKETCHERS: 10-4-6 VANS: 10-4-7STEVE MADDEN: 10-4-8 HEALTH MAKE-UP: 80-2 CONCEALER: 80-2-1 BEAUTY: 80FOUNDATION: 80-2-2 MINERAL: 80-2-3 POWER: 80-2-4 CREAM: 80-2-5 BRONZER:80-2-6 BLUSH: 80-2-7 EYEBROW PENCIL: 80-2-8

In one embodiment, each of the product terms 126 and generic terms 128may also include misspelled keywords, keywords with interchangedletters, alternative spellings, and the like. For example, generic terms128 may include the following misspelled terms for “CROCS”: “croks”;“crooks”; “krocks”; “kroks”; and any other alternative or misspelledterms. In another example, product term 126 may include the followingmisspelled terms for “SNEAKERS”: “sneeker”; “sneker”; “sneckr”;“sneaker”; “sneaker”; and any other alternative or misspelled terms.

EXAMPLES

For exemplary purposes only and not intended to be limiting, exampleterm databases 120 will be described. Although described with referenceto different establishments, this is not intended to be limiting as theterms and/or keywords in the term database 120 may vary and may be basedupon the type of establishment or desired terms of the established.

Example 1

The main terms 124 for an airport establishment may be each country theairline services. The product terms 126 may then further define each ofthe main terms 124. The product terms 126 may be cities or states withinthe country that the airline services. The generic terms 128 may includecities within each state and well as any misspellings or alternativespellings of the state, country, or city. This is further illustratedand explained in Table 4.

TABLE 4 MAIN TERM PRODUCT TERM GENERIC TERM UNITED CALIFORNIA SACRAMENTOSTATES CALI SAN DIEGO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES NORTHERNCALIFORNIA FRESNO KALIFORNIA SAN JOSE KALIPHONIA SAN FRANCICO LAX SJCSFO

Example 2

Recovery server 108 may allow the establishment to further customize itsown match terms stored in an establishment term database 118. If theestablishment is a hotel, the hotel's main terms may be internal terms130 associated with a location within the hotel. For example, theinternal term 130 “ZONE-1-LOBBY” may be associated with the receptionarea of the lobby, internal term 130 “ZONE-2-LOBBY” may be associatedwith the waiting are of the lobby, and internal term 130 “POOL-NW” maybe associated with the Jacuzzi area of the pool.

Each internal term 130 may have a plurality of generic public terms 132associated with each of the internal terms 130. For example,“ZONE-1-LOBBY” may be associated with generic public terms 132“reception”, “concierge”, “front desk”, “check-in”, “receptionist”, andthe like. In another example, “POOL-NW” may be associated with genericpublic terms 132 “Jacuzzi”, “hot tub”, “spa”, “hot-tub”, and the like.

In another embodiment, recovery server 108 may allow the establishmentto add, edit, or delete any existing or pre-defined match terms (e.g.the main terms, product terms, or generic terms) to further customizethe match terms to the establishment's desires. For example, theestablishment may want to change or customize the pre-defined match term“CLOTHING” to “WOMEN CLOTHING” and “MEN CLOTHING”. In other words, theestablishment may customize any existing hierarchy of match terms storedin the match server databases as further illustrated in Table 5.

TABLE 5 INTERNAL TERM GENERIC TERM ZONE-1 -LOBBY RECEPTION CONCIERGEFRONT DESK CHECK-IN RECEPTIONIST POOL-NW JACUZZI HOT TUB SPA HOT-TUB

Example 3

FIG. 2 illustrates another exemplary term database. The establishmentmay be any establishment such as a hotel, airplane, seminar, theme park,movie theatre, and the like. The term database 200 may have main terms202, product terms 216, and generic terms 234. Main terms 202 may havekeywords “CLOTHING” 204, “SPORTING GOODS” 206, “TOYS” 208, “ELECTRONICS”210, “JEWELRY” 212, “BOOKS” 214, and the like.

Main term 202 may be associated with a plurality of product terms 216that further define each main term 202. “CLOTHING” 204 may be associatedwith product terms 216 “DRESS” 218, “SHIRT” 220, “PANTS” 222, and“SHOES” 224. Main term 202 “ELECTRONICS” 210 may be associated withproduct terms 216 “PHONE” 226, “LAPTOP” 228, “TABLET” 230, and“CHARGERS” 232.

Product terms 216 may be associated with a plurality of generic terms234 which further define each of the product terms 216. Product term 216“PANTS” 222 may be associated with generic terms 236 “TROUSER”, “KHAKI”,“CAPRI”, “JEANS”, and the like. The generic terms 236 may also includealternative or misspelled keywords such as “TROUSOR”, “KAKI”, “KAPRY”,and the like. Product term 216 “PHONE” 226 may be associated withgeneric terms 238 “IPHONE™”, “IPHONE™3”, “GALAXY NOTE™ 3”, “GALAXY NOTE™II” AND THE LIKE. The generic terms 236 may also include variousmisspelling and/or spellings of each of the generic terms 238 such as“I-PHONE™”, “I-PHONE™ 3”, “I-PHONE™ 4” and the like.

Referring back to FIG. 1, in one embodiment, a customer may call theestablishment to report a lost or found item. The establishment server104 may then create and transmit to the recovery server 108 a lost itemreport 114 or a found item report 116. In another embodiment, clientdevice 102 a-n may self-report and transmit to recovery server 108 alost item report 114 and/or a found item report 116. The lost itemreport 114 may be stored in the lost item database 110 and the founditem report 116 may be stored in the found item database 112.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate the matching and merging of data fieldsaccording to one embodiment. Referring to FIG. 3A, the lost item report302 may have a plurality of data fields such as a customeridentification data field 306, lost item information data field 308, andan associated code data field 310. Customer identification 306 mayinclude information such as name, unique or user identification, phonenumber, address, password, electronic mail, or any other desiredcustomer information. Lost item information 308 may also includedescriptive information of the lost item, location of where the item waslost, date the item was lost (e.g. a business name, room number, seatnumber, level, and/or additional location data of where the item wasfound), entry date of the lost item report 302, and any other desiredlost item information. Associated codes 310 may be any codes associatedwith the lost item report 302 based upon keywords or terms obtained fromthe lost item information 308.

The found item report 304 may also have a plurality of data fieldssimilar to the lost item report 302. The found item report 304 may havea plurality of data fields such as a customer identification data field312, found item information data field 314, and an associated code datafield 316. Customer identification 312 may include information such asname, unique or user identification, phone number, address, password,electronic mail, or any other desired customer information. Found iteminformation 314 may also include descriptive information of the founditem, location of where the item was found (e.g. a business name, roomnumber, seat number, level, and/or additional location data of where theitem was found), date the item was found, entry date of the found itemreport 304, and any other desired lost item information. Associatedcodes 316 may be any codes associated with the found item report 304based upon keywords or terms obtained from the found item information314.

Referring now to FIG. 3B, data fields in the lost item report 302 andthe found item report 304 may be compared to locate potential records,reports or documents to be merged. In one embodiment, the customeridentification 306, 312 of the lost item report 302 and the found itemreport 304 may be compared. In another embodiment, the associated codes310, 316 of the lost item report 302 and the found item report 304 maybe compared. It will now be known that any of the data fields may becompared to locate potential documents to be merged.

As illustrated, the customer name data field may be “COLODNY, BRIAN”322, 324 in both the lost item report 302 and the found item report 304.Additionally, the main code data field “10” 330, 334 and the productcode data field “4” 332, 336 in both the lost item report 302 and thefound item report 304 may be the same. If there is a match in thecustomer identification data fields and/or the associated code datafields, the records may be potential reports to merge.

If it is determined that the records are to be merged, the iteminformation data field 308, 314 from both the lost item report 302 andthe found item report 304 may be compared for any differences ordiscrepancies. As illustrated in FIG. 3B, the description data field inthe lost item report 302 may be “BLACK CROKS” 340. However, thedescription data field in the found item report 304 may be “BLACKCROCKS” 342. Since the spellings are different, the discrepancy will benoted and included in the merged report 320.

A single combined merged report 320 may be generated by combining thedata fields from each record. Although illustrated as merging tworeports, this is not meant to be limiting as more than one record may bemerged. For example, there may be two or more found item reports thatmay be merged with a single lost item report. In another embodiment, twoor more lost item reports may be merged with a single found item report.Furthermore, although illustrated as merging a lost item report with afound item report, this is not intended to be limiting as two or morelost item reports may be merged. In another embodiment, two or morefound item reports may be merged. In still another embodiment, the founditem report may be merged with the lost item report.

The resulting merged report 320 may include information both from thelost item report 302 and the found item report 304. As illustrated, datafields from the found item report 304 information may be merged withdata fields from the lost item report 302. Generally, lost item reportshave more information and the information is more accurate than founditem reports as customers want their lost items returned. Thus,information in the found item reports 304 may be merged or added to thelost item report 302. However, this is not intended to be limiting asthe lost item report 302 information may be merged or added to founditem reports 304.

The merged or added information may be presented differently or separatefrom the information in the lost item report. In one embodiment, themerged information may be presented as italics, bolded, in a differentfont, in a different text size, or presented in any other knowndifferent manner. In another embodiment, the merged information may beset apart from the information in the lost item report. For example, theadded information may be presented and set apart in brackets, quotationmarks, on a different line, or set apart in any other known manner. Asillustrated, the merged information 350 is set forth in quotation marks,displayed in all capital letters, and bolded.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate an exemplary method for locating and mergingrecords. The method 400 provides that a first report may be received at402. The report may have a plurality of data fields, including at leastone descriptive term and a customer identification. Other data fieldsmay also include associated codes and any other desired data fields.Customer identification may include information such as name, unique oruser identification, phone number, address, password, electronic mail,or any other desired customer information. Item information may alsoinclude descriptive information of the item, location of where the itemwas lost or found, date the item was lost or found (e.g. a businessname, room number, seat number, level, and/or additional location dataof where the item was found), entry date of the report, and any otherdesired lost item information. Associated codes may be any codesassociated with the report based upon keywords or terms obtained fromthe item information.

A determination if the at least one descriptive term matches at leastone generic term is made at 404. If a match is found at 406, a genericcode is associated with the at least one descriptive term at 408. Thegeneric terms 128 may define what a product is. For example, underproduct term “SHOES”, the generic terms may include sneakers, flip flop,high heel, crocks, boots and the like. In another example, product term“health beauty” may include the generic terms concealer, foundation,mineral, powder, and the like. As such, there may be substantially moregeneric terms than product terms, and substantially more product termsthan main terms.

Each generic term 128 may be assigned a code or unique identifier. Forexample, “sneakers” may be assigned code 10-4B-C, “dress” may beassigned code 10-4B-GG, and the like. Although illustrated in numericalformat, the code may be any unique code or identifier consisting oftext, symbols, or numbers.

If no match is found at 406, a determination if the at least onedescriptive term matches at least one product term at 410. If a match isfound at 412, a product code is associated with the at least onedescriptive term at 414. The product terms may be a higher-level termthan the generic terms yet define what the products are. For example,the product terms may include pants, shirts, dress, shoes, and the liketo describe the product “CLOTHING”. In another example, product termsperfume, make-up, razor, soap, lipstick, and the like may describe“HEALTH BEAUTY”. Each product term may be assigned a code or uniqueidentifier. For example, “pants” may be assigned code 10-1, “shirt” maybe assigned code 10-2, and the like. Although illustrated in numericalformat, the code may be any unique code or identifier consisting oftext, symbols, or numbers.

In one embodiment, each of the product terms and generic terms may alsoinclude alternative or misspelled keywords. For example, generic termsmay include the following alternative or misspelled terms for “CROCS”:“croks”; “crooks”; “krocks”; “kroks”; and any other misspelled terms. Inanother example, product term may include the following misspelled termsfor “SNEAKERS”: “sneeker”; “sneker”; “sneckr”; “snecker”; “sneaker”; andany other alternative or misspelled terms.

If no match is found at 412, a determination if the at least onedescriptive term matches at least one main term is made at 416. If nomatch is found at 418, the method 400 may end. If a match is found at418, a main code is associated with the at least one descriptive term at420. The main terms may be main or high-level keyword terms to describevarious products. The main terms may be a description used to describe aplurality of products. For example, main terms may include “clothing”,“electronics”, “sporting goods”, and the like. Each main term may beassigned a code or unique identifier. For example, “clothing” may beassigned code 10. Although illustrated in numerical format, the code maybe any unique code or identifier consisting of text, symbols, ornumbers.

Since the main terms are high-level terms, there are less main termsthan product terms and generic terms. Additionally, there are moregeneric terms than product terms since the generic terms are descriptiveterms describing the product terms.

Referring now to FIG. 4B, the method 430 starts with locating a secondreport at 432. The second report, may have a plurality of data fields,including at least one descriptive term and a customer identificationdata field. Other data fields may also include associated codes and anyother desired data fields. Customer identification may includeinformation such as name, unique or user identification, phone number,address, password, electronic mail, or any other desired customerinformation. Item information may also include descriptive informationof the item, location of where the item was lost or found, date the itemwas lost or found (e.g. a business name, room number, seat number,level, and/or additional location data of where the item was found),entry date of the report, and any other desired lost item information.Associated codes may be any codes associated with the report based uponkeywords or terms obtained from the item information.

A determination whether the second report customer identification andmain code matches the first report customer identification and main codeat 434. Although described with matching the customer identification andmain code data fields, this is not intended to be limiting as any datafields may be matched. For example, the customer identification and allthe associated codes may be matched. If a match is found at 436, datafields of the first report with data field of the second report iscompared to identify one or more differences at 438. If any differencesare identified at 440, a single combined data field based on thedifferences identified may be generated at 442 to form a merged documentusing the combined data field at 444.

Although illustrated as merging two documents, this is not meant to belimiting as more than one document may be merged. For example, there maybe two or more found item reports that may be merged with a single lostitem report. In another embodiment, two or more lost item reports may bemerged with a single found item report. Furthermore, althoughillustrated as merging a lost item report with a found item report, thisis not intended to be limiting as two ore more lost item reports may bemerged. In another embodiment, two or more found item reports may bemerged. In still another embodiment, the found item report may be mergedwith the lost item report.

The resulting merged report or document may include information bothfrom the first report and the second report. The merged or addedinformation may be presented differently or separate from theinformation in the merged document. In one embodiment, the mergedinformation may be presented as italics, bolded, in a different font, ina different text size, or presented in any other known different manner.In another embodiment, the merged information may be set apart from theinformation in the lost item report. For example, the added informationmay be presented and set apart in brackets, quotation marks, on anotherline, or set apart in any other known manner.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary method for creating customized matchterms. The method 500 starts by receiving a request to customize matchterms at 502. Recovery server (such as recovery server 108 illustratedin FIG. 1) may allow the establishment to further customize its ownmatch terms stored in a database (such as establishment term database118 illustrated in FIG. 1). Internal match terms may be received at 504.For example, if the establishment is a hotel, the hotel's main terms maybe internal terms associated with a location within the hotel. Forexample, the internal term “ZONE-1-LOBBY” may be associated with thereception area of the lobby, internal term “ZONE-2-LOBBY” may beassociated with the waiting are of the lobby, and internal term“POOL-NW” may be associated with the Jacuzzi area of the pool.

Associated public terms may be received at 506. Each internal term mayhave a plurality of generic public terms associated with each of theinternal terms at 508. For example, “ZONE-1-LOBBY” may be associatedwith generic public terms “reception”, “concierge”, “front desk”,“check-in”, “receptionist”, and the like. In another example, “POOL-NW”may be associated with generic public terms “Jacuzzi”, “hot tub”, “spa”,“hot-tub”, and the like.

In one embodiment, a recovery server may allow the establishment to add,edit, or delete any existing or pre-defined match terms (e.g. the mainterms, product terms, or generic terms) to further customize the matchterms to the establishment's desires. For example, the establishment maywant to change or customize the pre-defined match term “CLOTHING” to“WOMEN CLOTHING” and “MEN CLOTHING”. In other words, the establishmentmay customize any existing hierarchy of match terms stored in the matchserver databases.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are exemplary screen shots illustrating customization ofmatch terms. Referring to FIG. 6A, the screen shot 600 illustratescustomization of match terms. The graphical user interface 600 allows anestablishment (such as establishment server 104 illustrated in FIG. 1)to request customization of match terms at 602. Recovery server (such asrecovery server 108 illustrated in FIG. 1) may allow the establishmentto further customize its own match terms stored in a database (such asestablishment term database 118 illustrated in FIG. 1).

Referring to FIG. 6B, the screen shot 604 illustrates customization ofmatch terms. The graphical user interface 604 allows the establishmentto add new word terms 606, edit existing or saved terms 608, or deleteexisting or saved terms 610 a,b. To customize match terms, theestablishment may enter an internal term at 612 as well as a public termat 614. For example, if the establishment is a hotel, the hotel's mainterms may be internal terms associated with a location within the hotel.For example, the internal term “ZONE-1-LOBBY” may be associated with thereception area of the lobby, internal term “ZONE-2-LOBBY” may beassociated with the waiting are of the lobby, and internal term“POOL-NW” may be associated with the Jacuzzi area of the pool.

The customized match terms may be received by the recovery server when“UPDATE TITLES” 616 or any other similar button is selected. Eachinternal term may have a plurality of generic public terms associatedwith each of the internal terms at 508. For example, “ZONE-1-LOBBY” maybe associated with generic public terms “reception”, “concierge”, “frontdesk”, “check-in”, “receptionist”, and the like. In another example,“POOL-NW” may be associated with generic public terms “Jacuzzi”, “hottub”, “spa”, “hot-tub”, and the like.

In one embodiment, a recovery server may allow the establishment to add606, edit 608, or delete 610 a,b any existing or pre-defined match terms(e.g. the main terms, product terms, or generic terms) to furthercustomize the match terms to the establishment's desires. For example,the establishment may want to change or customize the pre-defined matchterm “CLOTHING” to “WOMEN CLOTHING” and “MEN CLOTHING”. In other words,the establishment may customize any existing hierarchy of match termsstored in the match server databases.

FIG. 7 illustrates a block diagram of a computing device 700 accordingto one embodiment. The computing device 700 can represent circuitry of arepresentative computing device (e.g. client device, recovery sever,shipping server, third party payment server, establishment server)described and illustrated in FIG. 1. The computing device can bedesigned to primarily stationary or can be portable.

The computing device 700 includes a processor 702 that pertains to amicroprocessor or controller for controlling the overall operation ofthe computing device 700. The computing device 700 stores media datapertaining to media items in a file system 704 and a cache 706. The filesystem 704 is, typically, semiconductor memory (e.g., Flash memory)and/or one or more storage disks. The file system 704 typically provideshigh capacity storage capability for the computing device 700. However,since the access time to the file system 704 can be relatively slow, thecomputing device 700 can also include the cache 706. The cache 706 is,for example, Random-Access Memory (RAM). The relative access time to thecache 706 is typically shorter than for the file system 704. However,the cache 706 does not have the large storage capacity of the filesystem 704. The computing device 700 also includes a RAM 720 and aRead-Only Memory (ROM) 722. The ROM 722 can store programs, utilities orprocesses to be executed in a non-volatile manner. The RAM 720 providesvolatile data storage, such as for the cache 706.

The computing device 700 may also include a user input device 708 thatallows a user of the computing device 700 to interact with the computingdevice 700. For example, the user input device 708 can take a variety offorms, such as a button, keypad, dial, touch-sensitive surface, etc.Still further, the computing device 700 includes a display 710 (screendisplay) that can be controlled by the processor 702 to displayinformation to the user. A data bus 711 can facilitate data transferbetween at least the file system 704, the cache 706, the processor 702,an audio coder/decoder (CODEC) 712 and/or a video CODEC 715.

In one embodiment, for example, if the computing device 700 (e.g. clientdevice 102 a-n , establishment server 104 illustrated in FIG. 1) is aportable electronic device, the computing device 700 may store aplurality of data fields (e.g., customer information, productdescription, etc.) in the file system 704. When a user desires to reporta lost item report the computing device may allow the user to inputinformation in the data fields. The data fields may be displayed on thedisplay 710. Then, using the user input device 708, a user can selectone of the available data fields. The processor 702, upon receiving aninput, stores the input into the data fields and, if necessary, out itto one or more appropriate output devices. If the particular media itemis encrypted, the particular media item is first decrypted as notedabove, which could involve one or more layers of encryption. As anexample, for audio output, the processor 702 can supply the media data(e.g., audio file) for the particular media item to the audio CODEC 712.The audio CODEC 712 can then produce analog output signals for a speaker714. The speaker 714 can be a speaker internal to the computing device700 or external to the computing device 700. For example, headphones orearphones that connect to the computing device 700 would be consideredan external speaker. As another example, for video output, the processor702 can supply the media data (e.g., video file) for the particularmedia item to the video CODEC 715. The video CODEC 715 can then produceoutput signals for the display 710 and/or the speaker 714.

The computing device 700 also includes a network/bus interface 716 thatcouples to a data link 718. The data link 718 allows the computingdevice 700 to couple to another device (e.g., a host computer, a powersource, or an accessory device). The data link 718 can be provided overa wired connection or a wireless connection. In the case of a wirelessconnection, the network/bus interface 716 can include a wirelesstransceiver.

The various aspects, features, embodiments or implementations of theinvention described above can be used alone or in various combinations.Embodiments of the invention can, for example, be implemented bysoftware, hardware, or a combination of hardware and software.Embodiments of the invention can also be embodied as computer readablecode on a computer readable medium. The computer readable medium is anydata storage device that can store data which can thereafter be read bya computer system. Examples of the computer readable medium generallyinclude read-only memory and random-access memory. More specificexamples of computer readable medium are tangible and include Flashmemory, EEPROM memory, memory card, CD-ROM, DVD, hard drive, magnetictape, and optical data storage device. The computer readable medium canalso be distributed over network-coupled computer systems so that thecomputer readable code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion.

Numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the present invention. However, it will become obviousto those skilled in the art that the invention may be practiced withoutthese specific details. The description and representation herein arethe common meanings used by those experienced or skilled in the art tomost effectively convey the substance of their work to others skilled inthe art. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components,and circuitry have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarilyobscuring aspects of the present invention.

In the foregoing description, reference to “one embodiment”, “anembodiment”, “one example” means that a particular feature, structure,or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment can beincluded in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances ofthe phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specificationare not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor areseparate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of otherembodiments. Further, the order of blocks in process flowcharts ordiagrams representing one or more embodiments of the invention do notinherently indicate any particular order nor imply any limitations inthe invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system to generate a merged record, comprising:a client server configured to generate a first report having at leastone internal term and at least one descriptive term; and a recoveryserver configured to: receive the first report; associate the at leastone internal term with at least one of a plurality of public terms;associate the at least one descriptive term with a generic code or aproduct code; and associate the at least one descriptive term with atleast one main code, the associated main code based upon the associatedgeneric code or product code.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein to theassociate the at least one descriptive term with a generic code or aproduct code, the recovery server is configured to: determine if the atleast one descriptive term matches one of a plurality of generic termsstored in a terms database, each of the plurality of generic termsassociated with the generic code; associate the generic code to the atleast one descriptive term if it is determined that the at least onedescriptive term matches one of the plurality of generic terms;determine if the at least one descriptive term matches one of aplurality of product terms if it is determined that the at least onedescriptive term does not match one of the plurality of generic terms,each of the plurality of product terms associated with the product code;and associate the product code to the descriptive term if it isdetermined that the at least one descriptive term matches one of theplurality of product terms.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein therecovery server is configured to: locate a second report having secondreport information, the second report information including at least onepublic term and at least one main code; and determine whether the secondreport public term and main code matches the first report public termand main code.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least oneinternal term and the at least one public term describes a particularlocation within an establishment.
 5. The system of claim 3, wherein therecovery server is configured to: compare the first report informationwith the second report information to identify one or more differences,the first report information and the second report information having aplurality of data fields; determining if there are one or moredifferences between the at least one of the plurality of first reportdata fields and the at least one of the plurality of second report datafields; produce a single combined data field if the determiningdetermines there are one or more differences; and generate a mergedrecord using the combined data field.
 6. The system of claim 5, whereinthe single combined data field includes information from the firstreport data field and information from the second report data field, andwherein the information from the second report data field is presenteddifferently or separate from the information from the first report datafield.
 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the information from the secondreport data field is presented in a different font or in a differentcolor than the information from the first report data field.
 8. A methodfor generating a merged report, comprising: receiving, at a server, afirst report, the first report including first report information, thefirst report information including at least one descriptive term and atleast one internal term; associating the at least one internal term withat least one of a plurality of public terms; associating the at leastone descriptive term with a generic code or a product code; andassociating the at least one descriptive term with at least one maincode, the associated main code based upon the associated generic code orproduct code.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the associating the atleast one descriptive term with a generic code or a product code,comprises: determining if the at least one descriptive term matches oneof a plurality of generic terms stored in a terms database, each of theplurality of generic terms associated with the generic code; associatingthe generic code to the at least one descriptive term if it isdetermined that the at least one descriptive term matches one of theplurality of generic terms; determining if the at least one descriptiveterm matches one of a plurality of product terms if it is determinedthat the at least one descriptive term does not match one of theplurality of generic terms, each of the plurality of product termsassociated with the product code; and associating the product code tothe descriptive term if it is determined that the at least onedescriptive term matches one of the plurality of product terms.
 10. Themethod of claim 8, wherein the internal term describes a particularlocation within an establishment.
 11. The method of claim 8, comprisinglocating a second report having second report information, the secondreport information including at least one public term and at least onemain code; and determining whether the second report public term andmain code matches the first report public term and main code.
 12. Themethod of claim 11, comprising: comparing the first report informationwith the second report information to identify one or more differences,the first report information and the second report information having aplurality of data fields; determining if there are one or moredifferences between the at least one of the plurality of first reportdata fields and the at least one of the plurality of second report datafields; generating a single combined data field if the determiningdetermines there are one or more differences; and forming a mergedreport using the combined data field.
 13. The method of claim 12,wherein the single combined data field includes information from thefirst report data field and information from the second report datafield, and wherein the information from the second report data field ispresented differently or separate from the information from the firstreport data field.
 14. The method of claim 11, wherein the informationfrom the second report data field is presented in a different font orcolor than the information from the first report data field.
 15. Amethod for generating a merged lost report, comprising: receiving, at aserver, a lost report, the lost report including lost reportinformation, the lost report information including at least onedescriptive term and an internal term; associating the at least oneinternal term with at least one of a plurality of public terms;associating the at least one descriptive term with a generic code or aproduct code; associating the at least one descriptive term with atleast one main code, the associated main code based upon the associatedgeneric code or product code; locating a found report having foundreport information, the found report information including at least apublic term and at least one main code; and determining whether thefound report public term and main code matches the first report publicterm and main code.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the associatingthe at least one descriptive term with a generic code or a product code,comprises: determining if the at least one descriptive term matches oneof a plurality of generic terms stored in a terms database, each of theplurality of generic terms associated with the generic code; associatingthe generic code to the at least one descriptive term if it isdetermined that the at least one descriptive term matches one of theplurality of generic terms; determining if the at least one descriptiveterm matches one of a plurality of product terms if it is determinedthat the at least one descriptive term does not match one of theplurality of generic terms, each of the plurality of product termsassociated with the product code; and associating the product code tothe descriptive term if it is determined that the at least onedescriptive term matches one of the plurality of product terms.
 17. Themethod of claim 15, wherein the internal code describes a particularlocation within an establishment.
 18. The method of claim 16, furthercomprising: comparing the first report information with the found reportinformation to identify one or more differences, the first reportinformation and the found report information having a plurality of datafields; determining if there are one or more differences between the atleast one of the plurality of first report data fields and the at leastone of the plurality of found report data fields; generating a singlecombined data field if the determining determines there are one or moredifferences; and forming a merged report using the combined data field.19. The method of claim 17, wherein the single combined data fieldincludes information from the first report data field and informationfrom the found report data field, and wherein the information from thefound report data field is presented differently or separate from theinformation from the first report data field.
 20. A program storagedevice readable by a machine tangibly embodying a program ofinstructions executable by the machine to perform a method forgenerating a merged record, the method comprising: receiving, at aserver, a first report, the first report including first reportinformation, the first report information including at least onedescriptive term and at least one internal term; associating the atleast one internal term with at least one of a plurality of publicterms; associating the at least one descriptive term with a generic codeor a product code; and associating the at least one descriptive termwith at least one main code, the associated main code based upon theassociated generic code or product code.